Everything is permissible in the realm of Bravo? The Real Housewives of New York countess Luann de Lesseps and Southern Hospitality star Joe Bradley ignited rumors of a hookup following their flirtatious interaction on Watch What Happens Live in January 2024. The supposed intimate interaction not only caught attention because of their 30-year age difference, but also because Joe was in a relationship with Summer House’s Danielle Olivera at that time.
When Did Luann de Lesseps and Joe Bradley Meet?
The reality TV personalities got to know each other when they were both invited as guests on a pretaped episode of WWHL with Andy Cohen on January 25, 2024. During the show, the RHONY alum openly expressed how “charming” she found the Republic Garden & Lounge VIP manager to be.
“I love Southern boys,” she remarked, to which Joe promptly responded, “I like older women.”
After filming the late-night talk show, an eyewitness informed Us Weekly that the couple appeared to be “all over each other” on January 24, 2024. Nevertheless, a source close to the Southern Hospitality star refuted the eyewitness accounts.
Did RHONY’s Luann de Lesseps and Southern Hospitality’s Joe Bradley Engage in a Romantic Encounter?
Almost a year after the rumors emerged that Joe and Luann had kissed, Joe finally acknowledged that they indeed shared a romantic moment. “I believe enough time has passed and I’m tired of the rumors and the falsehoods,” he stated to Us Weekly in an interview published on January 2, 2025.
Joe emphasized that he was “never embarrassed or attempting to conceal the fact that I kissed her, because Luann is an icon,” but initially chose to deny the rumors to avoid hurting Danielle’s feelings as they were involved at the time.
We weren't officially a couple back then, but I was aware of the impressions it created. I hate causing emotional pain through my actions," Joe clarified regarding his relationship with Danielle. "That’s why I tried to keep everything under wraps."
Southern Hospitality's Joe Bradley Initially Refuted Claims of a Kiss
They initially denied any romantic involvement.
Nevertheless, the “Money Can’t Buy You Class” artist confessed to having “chemistry” with Joe on February 5, 2024, after TMZ approached her outside a talk show studio.
"And we went out for drinks. What’s wrong with that? He didn’t stay over at my place. People love to assume those things because it’s intriguing. But he does have a girlfriend," she mentioned, referring to Danielle.
Joe disclosed their breakup on February 20, 2024.
Bravo During the interview, Luann boldly stated she would be open to being intimate with Joe if he were single.
“Absolutely,” she stated, adding, “Are you joking? … I’m a bit of a cougar — let’s put it that way.”
Meanwhile, Joe talked about the hookup rumors during the Southern Hospitality season 2 reunion which aired on February 22, 2024.
“I love older women. I’m the mayor of MILF city at Republic,” he commented to Andy Cohen.
However, Joe clarified he wasn’t involved with Luann.
“The truth is, Luann and I had a drink and connected well,” he elaborated. “I did cross a line at the hotel, but we didn’t kiss or hook up.”
Joe’s Southern Hospitality colleague TJ Dinch contradicted Joe’s statement by quietly telling Mia Alario that “they hooked up.”
I was just joking around with her at the bar, that's all," Joe responded. "What are you even suggesting?"
While looking for the latest news, Andy added and questioned TJ, "How certain are you that he actually got involved with Luann?"
"99 percent sure," revealed the bartender from Republic Garden & Lounge.
Following the airing of the Southern Hospitality season 2 reunion, TJ reiterated his statement on Instagram Stories. He posted a screenshot of a direct message from Joe that said, "In the end, nobody will care that you reported it. You're just a background character, a friend of [rat emoji]... Truly disheartening."
Courtesy of Instagram/TK Dinch